Adele, 21

By Claire Suddath

Named for the age Adele was when she recorded the album, 21 marks the moment the perpetually brokenhearted singer reached the top of Britain's soul-revival scene. Full of gospel-tinged pain, remorse and longing, 21 is a nuanced breakup album that is steeped in sadness but never veers into cornball territory (a balance struck with particular grace on the album's biggest tearjerker, "Someone like You"). These are songs of solace for the lovelorn, whether you're the dumper or the dumpee.